QUINCY PATRIOT-LEDGER

December 9, 2005

OUR VIEW: Guest worker program a sound idea

By The Patriot Ledger

The rancor surrounding the question of controlling immigration to this country is understandable. But at the same time it is sad, because this is a nation built by immigrants.

It is tempting to romanticize the great immigration of a hundred years ago, when waves of Europeans from many countries streamed to America’s cities. To some, those were the days of ‘‘good immigrants.’’

But of course, it wasn’t that simple. And everyone didn’t get along, even if most had arrived on these shores in similar circumstances.

The biggest difference between then and now is that there was room for as many as came. And there were jobs; the only requirement was a pair of hands or a strong back, or both.

The Mexicans and other Latinos at the center of the current immigration debate come here for the same reasons: a job and a better life for their families. But most aren’t coming legally, and the United States cannot ignore that.

President Bush has added a new dimension by recommending a guest worker program to allow illegals with jobs to remain legally in the country for fixed periods of time.

This idea, which has existed for decades in Europe, has considerable merit. For one, it acknowledges a reality which too many on all sides of the question choose to ignore: Millions of illegals work in the fields, kitchens and sweat shops of America. Without them, the economy would suffer and food prices would soar.

Obviously, employers who rely on illegals are not diligently checking that their workers have green cards. It is not in their interest to do so. And the government hasn’t enough agents, or the will, to attack illegal immigration from that angle.

The public may be angry about the flood of illegals, but most understand that having farm workers live in squalid conditions is counter to American ideals. We cannot erase the ‘‘Grapes of Wrath’’ syndrome unless we give migrant workers some legal standing.

To those who believe approved status would encourage more immigration, we say: They are coming anyway. And many would welcome the ability to remain here for a time and then return to their families, without fear of being caught and punished or deported.

Bush’s immigration bill also contains measures to strengthen border security and increased fines for companies that use illegal workers. The House, unfortunately, is set to approve a bill with those features but without the guest worker program.

The flow of illegals won’t be stopped; the incentive to escape lifelong poverty is too great. Congress needs to recognize that and enact a guest worker program as one way to make a bad situation better.